Doc felt he was making good time and as he got closer to Dodge, he began to recognize the landscape – well as best as he could with the limited light left of the day. Twilight seemed to arrive quickly and the air grew cooler. Doc nudged the horse with the heels of his boots to get the animal moving a little faster.

The doctor's mind kept drifting back to his three friends he'd left at the over turned stagecoach. At least the cabin of the coach offered some protection from the cool wind. Doc quickly pulled his coat collar up to ware off the cool breeze.

Wilbur Jonas felt only slightly better – his head wasn't spinning as much as it was earlier and as long as he didn't make any sudden moves, his head and stomach remain settled. Jonas had managed to gather a few of the scattered boxes and carpet bags and stacked then close to the coach.

Matt sat resting against the interior of the coach and watched the store owner for a moment, "Don't over do yourself, Jonas," he spoke in a hushed and tired voice. Jonas looked over to the marshal, "I'll try not to," he tried to smile as he looked at the wreckage and wondered how Kitty and he actually survived at all. Jonas had cover Kitty with his suit coat, and he made sure that Matt kept his coat on because of his wound. Jonas located his carpetbag and pulled his nightshirt out and wrapped it over his shoulders before he settled down next to Matt – he shivered.

Matt looked over to Kitty who had fallen asleep. He then rolled his head sideways and looked at Jonas, "Thanks for covering her," he said.

Jonas nodded, as it was the least he could do – his eyes were fixed on the saloon owner. "If I could figure out a way to light a fire to warm us up, I would," he then looked over to Matt.

Matt nodded, "Thanks, Jonas," he said resting his head back and closed his eyes. Jonas suddenly felt very much alone. It was dark and a foreboding feeling swept over him. Jonas pulled his knees up to his chest and pulled the nightshirt tighter around his shoulders. He hoped that Doc would be back with help soon.

Doc was getting more tired as the night wore on and he remembered why he liked his buggy more than horseback. He felt every join in his body aching, not to mention his rump. At least a saddle provided a little more comfort.

Doc kept both his hands on the reins and rather than try and fumble with his pocket watch he decided to calculate the time – which he gathered was close to midnight. The sliver of moon offered only a little light, but his eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness. He finally saw the sign that pointed to Dodge. Doc sighed with relief and nudged the horse to go a little faster.

Another ten minutes passed and Doc pulled the horse's reins to turn it up Front Street. His best chance of finding help was to stop in at the jail house, in hopes that Festus was inside or soon returning from his rounds.

The doctor pulled the animal to a stop and slid off the side of the horse. His legs wobbled as he adjusted to standing and walking again. His legs felt slightly numb from the long ride. Doc stepped up onto the boardwalk, "Festus?" he said loudly and opened the door. "Doc called out again, "Festus!?" this time his voice held more concern.

Festus heard the doctor from where he stood at the Long Branch Saloon. Both he and Sam looked down the street, "Wall, what do you make of that?" Festus said to no one in particular as he quickly walked down the boardwalk and crossed the street. Sam followed, "Where is the marshal, Miss Kitty and Jonas?" the barkeep asked aloud.

"I guess we're gonna find out," Festus hastened his steps, "Doc?" the hill man's voice squeaked.

Doc turned on his heels, "Festus! I need help," Doc's faces showed the panic that he held in his heart. "There's been an accident," Doc looked deeply into the deputy's hazel eyes.

"What about the others?" Festus took Doc by the shoulders.

"Matt has been shot. Kitty has some broken ribs and Jonas has a slight concussion," Doc said quickly. "We need a wagon," he pulled free of Festus' hold and staggered across the street to the livery stable. The doctor was exhausted yet he had to get back to his friends.

"Now hold on one second, Doc," Festus said as he and Sam followed the doctor across the street. Festus finally caught the older man by the arm and swung him around, "Doc. What happened? Yer not making any sense," Festus said as he turned the doctor to face him. Clearly Doc had other things on his mind and seemed very rattled.

Festus scrunched up his left eye, "Now just calm yerself down," he took Doc by the shoulders again to try and get him to focus. "Now start from the beginning," Festus asked.

Doc sighed, "Festus, I don't have time to go into details. Matt's hurt badly and so is Kitty," he tried to pull away but Festus held him tight. "All of them need medical attention," he stated. The doctor again tried to pull away.

"Alright. You win," Festus said. "You go and get what you need and Sam and I'll get a wagon ready and we will all go out together," Festus pointed his finger at the doctor hoping he made a point and that Doc would actually heed his words. Doc slowly nodded and his shoulders sagged, "I'll get my medical bag," he said quietly. Festus drew a breath and let go of Doc. "Alright. Meet us back here in about twenty minutes," Festus spoke with seldom-heard authority.

Doc trudged up the street toward his office. Festus watched for a moment and then turned to Sam. Neither man knew what to say. Silently they walked to the livery stable to get a wagon ready to roll.

Jonas continued to keep watch over Miss Kitty and the marshal as the two slept. The night air was damp and uncomfortably cold and from where he was seated inside the coach cabin, he was closest to the opening that Doc had created. Jonas longed to be in him own bed in his warm home and as hard as he could try to get warm he simply couldn't. Jonas closed his eyes and leaned back against the stagecoach and before long the sounds of the crickets in the cool fall night had lulled him to sleep.

Doc had gathered his medical bag and other items he might need for the trip out to the scene of the stagecoach accident. He focussed on who had what kind of injury each of his friends had and gathered what was best for field dressings. The doctor turned at the noise of his door opening. He expected to see Festus. Instead, standing in the door way was trooper Elcombe with his friend James Doris. "You the doctor in town?" Elcombe asked as he helped his friend through the door.

Doc said nothing. His eyes scanned the two men. Suddenly he felt something was terribly wrong or soon to be.